Screen's Testing Services

Early Detection with Minimal Staff Expense

Physician organizations are facing an increasing number of requests from their patients for memory testing.

Even when seniors begin to have slight memory lapses, which might simply be a sign of aging, they often worry that they “might be coming down with Alzheimer’s.”

To alleviate some of this worry and to provide for early detection and doctor follow-up, many physician organizations are now combining memory screening with annual physical examinations.

We have spent a decade developing tests that are easy for patients to take and for staff to administer. These tests were developed to precisely measure the cognitive domains that are most predictive of MCI and spot trends that allow us to give accurate early warnings. We provide our physician customers with detailed, yet easy-to-understand Physician Reports and unsurpassed customer service. When you look for a specialty testing company to test your patients, we hope you will consider our services.

Sensitivity and Specificity at Low Cost

SCREEN’S COMPREHENSIVE TESTING SERVICE allows busy physicians to completely outsource the memory testing of its patients to Screen Inc., while being kept up-to-date on their patient’s memory skills, and quickly alerted if their patients show sudden declines in cognitive abilities.

Want to try a demonstration version of the CANS-MCI right now?

How a Testing Session Works

When the patient comes into the doctor’s office for a scheduled cognitive testing, they are greeted by the doctor’s staff, brought to the testing unit, and seated comfortably. The staff person enters the patient identifying number and basic demographic information. The introduction then begins to “talk” to the patient (using recorded audio). It greets the patient, asks if the volume is high enough, if they have their glasses on and are comfortable and ready.

The staff member then leaves the room so the patient can take the Screen test in privacy. The software takes them through some easy examples of touching some targets on the screen, graduating to slightly more complex sequences, so that the patient can get comfortable with the test process. Their privacy (no observing or participating staff) reduces embarrassment and possible errors due by distracting tester actions. The entire test is self-administered. All possible patient errors and delays have been accommodated for in the design of the software (eliminating the need for staff training).

The Testing Process

The computer shows patients various pictures, words and designs and asks them a series of questions and elicits their responses, all registered by single-touch responses. By simply touching the computer monitor to make their choices, the person taking the test works their way through the assessment. When they touch the screen on the last question, the test data are instantly sent to Screen’s headquarters via the Internet, where the test data receives a proprietary statistical analysis and is then passed on to a neuropsychological specialist (MA or PhD) for final scoring. Read our section on the CANS-MCI test battery for more details.

The Cognitive Report

The final physician report details the test’s results on three cognitive domains (memory, symbol fluency and executive function). Additionally, the report provides the likelihood that the patient will be diagnosed with MCI if they were given a full neuropsychological test battery (this probability was the criterion standard used in earlier scientific validation studies).

When doctors review Screen’s Physician Report, they are able to reassure many of their patients that their test results are normal and they have nothing to worry about. Yet, for patients whose test results show some cause for concern, doctors get early warnings that support the need for additional testing and follow-up. That’s exactly what’s supposed to happen in both cases: Screen’s tests provide an enormous service in terms of medical follow-up decisions and the emotional well-being of patients. Read our section on the CANS-MCI cognitive report for more details.

Computer and Software Needs

Most computers capable of running Windows is already capable of running our software. Here are the basics:

If you are unsure of a device’s display capability, contact us for consultation and read more below.

Now for some specific suggestions.

For portability and ease-of-use we highly recommend the newer “convertible”, “hybrid”, or “2-in-1” devices. Some of these have detachable keyboards. Many can be folded into a very stable tent formation, which is perfect for administration of the tests.

There are so many devices in the world of Windows that Screen, Inc. can research only a handful of them. Let us know if you are considering a particular device and we will be happy to review its specs with you.

IMPORTANT:Be careful to avoid any device that uses a lower-end video chipset because it may not be capable of displaying 640 x 480 with a preserved aspect ratio. Make sure that the specs clearly state “Intel® HD Graphics 5500”, “Intel® HD Graphics 520”, “Intel® HD Graphics 510”, or “Intel® HD Graphics 515”, or one of the 6xx chipset series. If the specs only say “Intel® HD Graphics” you can not be sure it’s the correct chipset unless you can find printed in the specs one of these model numbers.

If you’re looking for a bargain you can often find refurbished computers online at a discount at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg and other reputable online sellers. Keep in mind that online offers can change day by day. Good deals will come and go, but they’re always appearing somewhere.

Please let us know the device you are considering and we will be happy to review its specs with you.

MAIN OFFICE

3511 46th Ave. N.E.
Seattle WA 98105

We hope that the information in this website is useful for your physician organization. If you have any questions about our tests, services or doing business with us, just send us an e-mail or call—we’ll get right back with you.